Safety device for locks



Deum, 1937. H ALERG A2,102,583

SAFETY DEVICE FOR LOCKS I v Filed Deo. 21, 193e magg Patented Dec. 21, 15937 PATENT vol-"Fels:

2,102,583 SAFETY DEVICE Foa Locas .lrenryfAlbel-g, Millstadt, nl.

` g, Application Dmber 21, 1936, serial No. 116,861

@In Canada January 2, 1936 2 claims. (ol. io- 424) jacent one oi its ends. Thel pinV I9 extends The invention relates'to improvementsA in keyhole guards and particularly to an improved guard for completely blocking and covering the key-hole in a door 'or' the like. Y i V An object of the invention'. is to 'provide an in'- expensive device of the character referred to adapted to be inserted into the key-holeof a lock to prevent manipulationof the latch bolt with improved means to insure vits retention over and in a key-hole,V` and means .to prevent unauthorized disengagement of said retaining means.; The foregoingjand such other objects of the invention as will appear hereinafter as'the description proceeds, `will be more readily understood from a perusal of the following specification,A reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. '1 is a perspective view of the device. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View 20 through a door showing the device, partially in section, positioned therein prior to locking.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2, showing the device locked in position.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the device in locked position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional rview taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a device of modified structure.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, showing another form of the device locked in place.

The device generally comprises a suitable closure plate, adapted to be placed over the keyhole in one side of the door, having an extension on one face arranged to extend into the key-hole to prevent insertion of a key from the side of the door opposite to that side in which the device is inserted, and suitable means to securely retain and lock the device in place to prevent unauthorized removal thereof.

Referring to the drawing, the key-hole guard, shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, preferably comprises a substantially rectangular closure plate I I having an extension I2 formed integral therewith and extending outwardly at right angles from one face thereof. The extension I2 preferably is formed in cross-section, at its free end, to conform substantially to the shape of a key-hole I 3 in lock housing I4. A boss I5, countersunk to receive a reduced portion I6 of a collar or hand grip I'I, extends outwardly from plate II in a direction opposite to that of the extension I 2. The reduced portion I6 is also countersunk, as at I8, and a pin or stem I9 is secured therein, ad-

yhead Illa is positioned in vertical alignment with extension I2, as best shown in-Fig. 2. vThe extension I2 then is inserted into the key-hole I 3 and the plate H1 is brought tightly againstv the associated lock cover plate 22 on the door. The hand grip Il then is urged inwardly, compressing spring 23, and partially rotated to move the wing portions of the elongated head I9a on pin I9into position for engagement with the rear side of the cover plate 24, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 5. The hand grip I1 is suitably spaced from the boss I5 to adapt the improved key-hole guard for mounting over key-holes in doors having cover plates of various thickness.

yTo facilitate alignment of the device with the key-hole, a pin 20 extends from the same side of plate II as and below the extensionv I2, into the key-hole 2l.

Means is provided on the device to prevent turning of the hand grip I1 to disengage the elongated head I9a by the application of a key or tool through the key-hole from the outside of the door. In this embodiment spaced lugs 2li extend from plate II adjacent its upper end to provide means to pivotally mount one end of a lock lever 25. 'Ihe free end of lever 25 preferably has a flared portion 26 on each side. The hand grip I'I has a dovetail longitudinal slot 2'I which, when the elongated head I9a is positioned substantially horizontally, is adapted to engage over the ared portions 26. This engagement is effected by swinging the lever 25 downwardly to position the flared portions 26 in alignment with the dovetail slot 21 while the retaining element is in depressed position. Upon release of the retaining element the slot is carried backwardly to embrace the flared portions 26. Juggling or tampering with the device, through the key-hole from the outside of the door, cannot disengage the lock lever, hence the elongated head I!!a cannot be turned to release the device.

To remove the device from the key-hole, the retaining element is pressed, against the action of spring 23, and the lock lever 25 swung upwardly. The retaining element then can be turned to position the elongated retaining head I9a in vertical alignment with the key-hole whereupon the whole device may be removed c over thekey-hole, Y

Y25 It is Obvious that therclosure partey H 0f theV 'Y from the door. Y Y Y The form of device illustrated in Fig` 6 -has one or more radially spaced lugs 28 on the hand grip ITa each formed with a shoulder 29 at oneVV slot. Upon release of the retainingelement, 'after the elongated head has Vbeen positioned' horizontally, the spring urges the head 19a tightly against the backface of YVthe cover plate 22 and the lug 32 engages in the longitudinal 'slot portion 33a. Y Hence,v the retaining head i9a cannot beturned to release and removethev device from improved key-hole guard entirely covers the keyhole 2| in cover plate 22,'thus obstructing vision through the key-hole; and that the extension member I2, conforming substantially Vto the shapeY of the key-hole; preventsY access being had to the usual latch boltV 34 or to the "retaining pin I9 from the side of the door opposite to that Whchthe device is inserted. .Y

' rotation. l*

Although exemplary embodiments ofthe invention have been illustrated in' the accompany- Y ing drawing and-described in detail in the foregoing specification, itis to be understood that various other modifications in detail-structure may be incorporated without departing from the "spiritof the inventionor the scope of the ap-V pended claims. VIclaim:V Y .A

q1. A deviceofjthe character described comprising, in combination, a plate, an extension on said'plate adapted for insertion into the keyholeof a lock, yieldably mounted means including agr-hand grip mounted on said plate adapted to retain the device in placefand la lock leverY pivotally mounted on said plate movable into position for locking engagement by Ysaid hand grip toV lock said Vretaining means.

1-2. Aidevice of the character described comprising, in combination,V a plate, an extension on :said Vplate adapted forfinsertion kinto the keyhole of alock, a'rotatable andfyieldably reciprocable element including a hand 'grip mounted on said plate vadapted to retain the/device in place, a'longitudinal dove-tail groove in' said hand vgringa-lock lever pivotally mounted at one end on said plate,- and an enlargement on the free end of said lever adaptedV to engage in said groove to VVlock the retaining!V element against HENRY ALBERG. 

